History of Rock Music Exam 2
"Chain Of Fools"
Aretha Franklin - Soul/Other Written by Don Covay. First release as a single in 1967 It won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance The trademark tremolo guitar licks at the introduction were played by Joe South. (later a recording artist on his own Games People Play) Aretha is known as The Queen of Soul & Soul Sister #1 #1 on Rolling Stone list of Best singers of all time 18 Grammies, 20 #1 Billboard singles, 45 songs in Top 40 Sang at Obama inauguration Grew up singing in Church (See a theme in this soul section????) Recorded first songs at 14 (Gospel album "Songs of Faith") Got pregnant career had to wait. (Kids born at 13 and 15) Later decides to try pop styles Offered contract w/ Motown; signs w/Atlantic instead
"The Times They Are A Changin"
Bob Dylan - Folk Song written in 1963, released on album in '64 and as a single in '65 This is Dylan's first album with his own songs stark, sparsely-arranged story songs concerning issues such as racism, poverty, and social change. Dylan recalled writing the song as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change for the moment. "I wanted to write a big song, with short concise verses that piled up on each other in a hypnotic way. The civil rights movement and the folk music movement were pretty close for a while and allied together at that time." Creates the genre of "Protest song" for the later part of the decade Dylan's fame spreads beyond folk circles. John Lennon major Dylan fan Brings a literary sense and artistic side into rock lyrics AFTER 1965-66 Went onstage at Newport Folk Festival with electric band (The Band) Booed and driven off stage. Stays electric and never looks back Major influence on Folk-Rock, Country-Rock and most of all in LYRICS!!
"Take Good Care Of My Baby"
Bobby Vee - Teen Idol Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin (Brill Building team) Covered by The Beatles during their audition at Decca Records Got big break opening show after Buddy Holly was killed Called concert promoters, They asked if he had performing experience. He said yes. Band had been together 2 weeks Didn't even have a name Did two more shows and got dropped form show, Didn't get paid Once thought about hiring Bob Dylan as pianist Dylan could only play in one key and didn't own a piano. He didn't get the job Married now for 47 years uses his three sons in his backing band. Still does 100 shows a year
"The Twist"
Chubby Checker - Dance Craze Written by Hank Ballard (Work w/ Me Annie) 1st of the many dance crazes to come #1 record of 1960. Checker did not want more dance songs but wound up doing many more instead. "The Hucklebuck" (#14), "The Fly" (#7), "Dance the Mess Around" (#24), and "Pony Time", which became his second #1 single. Checker's follow-up "twist" single, "Let's Twist Again", won the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Rock & Roll Solo Vocal Performance and The Limbo Rock all 60-62. "The Twist" went on to become the only single to top the Billboard Hot 100 twice (1960 and again in 1962 for 2 weeks), in two separate chart runs.
"I'm Into Something Good"
Herman's Hermits - British Invasion/Pop Star by Brill Building veterans Gerry Goffin and Carole King #1 in UK, #13 in US From Manchester (working class, industrial town) Managed and Produced by Mickie Most Rarely played on their own recordings Emphasized simple, clean cut pop songs Very popular mid 60's "Oldies" Circuit by end of decade
"Papa's Got A Brand New Bag"
James Brown - Soul/Other Written by Brown Brown's 1st song in top 10 1st true "Funk" record Guitar chord hook and rhythm make it stand out from Motown Recorded in 1 take (Supposed to be rehearsal) Brown signed with 2 record labels simultaneously Released similar songs on each label (sometimes instrumental versions) Led to many, many lawsuits between labels. Somehow Brown was never the target. Major theatrical showman (Cape routine) James Brown influences Mick Jagger & Michael Jackson Super disciplinarian. Demanded perfection from band Mistakes meant band paid fines Playing mistakes, being late, shoes not shined, etc. Brown would point and signal fines to band members onstage Brown was recognized by numerous titles, including Soul Brother Number One, Sex Machine, Mr. Dynamite, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, The King of Funk, Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk, Mr. Please Please Please Please and foremost The Godfather of Soul. "You gotta be on time. You gotta have your uniform. Your stuff's got to be intact. You gotta have the bow tie. You got to have it. You can't come up without the bow tie. You cannot come up without a cummerbund ... [The] patent leather shoes we were wearing at the time gotta be greased. You just gotta have this stuff. This is what [Brown expected] ... [Brown] bought the costumes. He bought the shoes. And if for some reason [the band member decided] to leave the group, [Brown told the person to] please leave my uniforms ...." —Maceo Parker Frequent trouble with the law Guns, alcohol, domestic violence Like Chuck Berry did actual prison time in middle of his career. After a tour 2006 goes to dentist feeling ill Goes to hospital never checks out Dies of Pneumonia Last words "I'm Going Away Tonight".
"Dead Man's Curve"
Jan & Dean - Surf "Dead Man's Curve" Imitates Spector Wall of Sound "Death Disc" DMC is real place real location of DMC in Hollywood is slightly different than the one given in the lyrics. Jan & Dean were friends of and frequent working partners with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Wilson wrote Jan & Dean's 1st #1 hit. Jan Berry would later have a tragic near-fatal auto accident in his own Sting Ray in 1966, but it was not on Sunset Boulevard but on a side street in Beverly Hills. Jan & Dean's anti-music Industry position has led some to dub them the first "punk rock" group. No one thought about this in 1964. They were just considered "difficult" to control by record companies.
"Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You"
Joan Baez - Folk Traditional folk song written by Anne Bredon in the late 1950s. Also by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, which included it on its 1969 debut album Led Zeppelin. Joan Baez's professional career began at that 1959 Newport Folk Festival; she recorded her first album for a major label (Vanguard), Joan Baez (1960), produced by Fred Hellerman (of The Weavers) The collection of traditional folk ballads, blues and laments sung to her own guitar accompaniment sold moderately well. It was recorded in only four days in the ballroom of New York City, New York,'s Manhattan Towers Hotel. Baez emerged at the forefront of the American roots revival, where she introduced her audiences to the then-unknown Dylan (the two became romantically involved in late 1962, remaining together through early 1965) Very involved in social and political issues Numerous benefit concerts Spokesperson for many issues as well Too many to try and name them all
"Hard To Handle"
Otis Redding - Soul/Stax written by Redding, Al Bell and Allen Jones. Released posthumously after Redding's death in 1967 Another Stax classic w/ hundreds of covers (Dead, Black Crowes) Redding from Macon Ga, like Little Richard Sang in church choir Won 15 talent shows in a row at local theater Got his first job as backup singer because lead singer had no Driver's License Started recording with King Records (Cinci based and James Brown's first label) Wrote or co-Wrote (W/ Steve Cropper) most of his tunes Signs with Stax in 1962. Stax's Biggest money maker Performed at Monterey Pop (1967) w/ Hendrix, etc. Made him a mainstream "Rock" act. HUGE career boost Dec 9 '67 finished a show in Cleveland and were flying to Madison Wis. Plane crashes in freezing lake killing 6 of seven passengers incl. Redding Stax/Atlantic Sale happens at the same time Redding's catalogue goes to Warner Bros. including unreleased recordings Dock of the Bay is among them Redding's biggest hits recorded at and for Stax are on WB Stax gets NOTHING for them.
"Kicks"
Paul Revere & The Raiders - U.S. Pop Written by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (Brill Bldg Team) Originally written to Brit band The Animals, They turned it down Early example of anti-drug song 1966 counter-culture is starting to be big news Anti-theme to songs like White Rabbit Band took a "credibility" hit with this song Parent approved but this is less important now Catchy song with a good hook so it still charts well in US. (#4) Song was written "to" a friend of the songwriters who was using Sound is kind of a cross between Beatles and Yardbirds or Kinks Possibly the only band to ever make it big from Boise Idaho Paul Revere (real 1st and middle names) plays organ Surf instrumentals Meets singer Mark Lindsay delivering hamburger buns in '58 Real success has to wait until Brit Invasion Appeared often on TV on Dick Clark shows American response to Brit. Invasion
"Tell Laura I Love Her"
Ray Peterson - Teen Idol Written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh Hit in 14 countries, and has sold over seven million copies. Classic example of "Teen Death Disc" phenomenon Blessed with a four octave singing voice Friend of Elvis When the hit records stopped coming, Peterson became a Baptist Church minister and occasionally played the oldies music circuit
"I'm A Soul Man"
Sam & Dave - Soul/Stax Written by Isaac Hayes & David Porter Written about turmoil after Detroit Race Riots in 1967 In Detroit black owned businesses were marked with the word "Soul"< br> These were not wrecked or looted in the riots " Passover" Hayes considers it a song about rising above one's present condition Grammy winner R&B for 1968 Both Sam & Dave were veterans of Gospel vocal groups Brought Southern Black gospel into pop even more than Ray Charles Pop melody & Church feeling Worked steady from 1961 - 1969 After that sporadic reunions (After Blues Brothers movie) Nicknamed Double Dynamite Amazing, high energy were amazing performers Went through 100 costumes per year Sweat ruined them Sam said he didn't feel right onstage until his body started to liquefy They literally left puddles of sweat on stages Otis Redding refused to be booked on same show with Sam & Dave. To hard to follow. Did not get along offstage Didn't speak offstage for 13 of their 21 years as a duo Wouldn't look at each other onstage Communicated through lawyers Hundreds of covers
"Everyday People"
Sly & The Family Stone - Soul/Other Written by Sly Stone #1 on Soul and Pop charts Plea for racial harmony (embodies a lot of late 60's themes) Creates catchphrase different strokes for different folks 1st instance of (recorded) Slap bass (Larry Graham) Becomes staple technique in funk bass playing Peace and love is major focus of the band Band was integrated and mutli gender Psychedelic funk; only in the 60s... Band falls apart in mid 70s Epic Records wanted more records, sly wanted better records Black panthers wanted white band members replaced Members dealt with problems by using drugs Not showing up for gigs (Audience riots) Sly walking off in the middle of shows. Etc... In '75 band plays Radio City Music Hall New York. Only 1/8 full Not enough money to fly home Sly retires in 1987 Band re-formed in 2010 for a festival. Nothing since
"Tears Of A Clown"
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Soul/Motown Album track in 1967, 1970 as a single #1 Billboard Music by Stevie Wonder and his producer Hank Crosby Wonder couldn't come up with lyrics to fit the music Brought the instrumental track to Motown Christmas party 1966 Robinson thought it sounded like a "circus" Robinson wrote lyrics and recorded the song Shop Around was Robinson's 1st hit w/ Motown (1960 on R & B charts) Motown 1st million seller By 1961 he is Motown VP Written 4,000 songs in 50 year career Covered by The Beatles (You've Really Got A Hold On Me) Dylan says Robinson is America's greatest living poet.
"Help!"
The Beatles - British Invasion/Heavy Hitters Written mostly by Lennon Written as response to stress Major step forward in writing style Taking on more complex subjects and emotions 1st signs of response to Dylan in Lennon's writing Lennon wrote it to be slow and more "in keeping" with lyrics Band decision changes tempo Film title was suddenly changed, Lennon had to quickly write new title song Marks change in group dynamic Lennon wrote previous 5, #1 songs Lennon goes in more introspective direction (Dylan influenced) McCartney writes their next 8, #1 songs starting with "Yesterday" We love Lennon's songs for this shift, 60's pop audience; less so
"I Get Around"
The Beach Boys - Surf by Brian Wilson and Mike Love Front to back structure. Chorus first, then verse B-Side for Don't Worry Baby 1st #1 song for band Brian Wilson wrote Surf City for Jan & Dean (#1 1 year BEFORE any Beach Boys song made #1) Angered their father/manager Known as "America's Band" Helped re-introduce (along with Surf in general) Band concept The group has had thirty-six U.S. Top 40 hits (the most of any U.S. rock band) and fifty-six Hot 100 hits, including four number one singles. According to Billboard, in terms of singles and album sales, The Beach Boys are the No. 1-selling American band of all time. Brian Wilson has anxiety attack in 1964 and leaves tour Focuses on writing and production No more live shows and travel Wilson is influenced by The Beatles (esp. Rubber Soul) and they by him Friendly competition for creativity and studio mastery Rubber Soul vs. Pet Sounds Then Sgt. Pepper tried to top Pet Sounds Pet Sounds only #10 disappoints Wilson
"If I Fell"
The Beatles - British Invasion/Heavy Hitters 1st Song on Something New in 1964 Written mostly by Lennon Like a lot of songs, appeared on multiple LPs Unusual structure Unrepeated introduction Added after the 11th take 2 part harmony shows influence of Everly Brothers Intricate, sophisticated chord changes Possibly suggested by George Martin Performed live on 1964 Canadian tour - Music faster than the recording Often introduced as "If I Fell Over
"Cry Like A Baby"
The Box Tops - Blue Eyes Soul Written by producer Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham 3rd single for box Tops #2 on Billboard Unusual instrumentation (Electric Sitar) Soul + Beatles = Blue-Eyed Soul Formed in Memphis when Chilton is 17 Recorded by Chips Moman (Formerly of Stax) The Box Tops were nominated for two Grammys in 1967. Chilton goes on to form Big Star and "invent" Power Pop genre Highly influential in indie rock circles
"He Hit Me"
The Crystals - Girl Groups Originally Darlene Love & The Blossoms, Spector wanted to record He's A Rebel so badly that when the "real" Crystals weren't available he used another group under their name. He owned both contracts so.... Oddly, this tune is written by a woman (Carole King) who would be famous as a performer in the late 60's on her own. Lyrics are about her baby-sitter and future singer, Little Eva who was being abused by a boyfriend. The song was written and intended as a sort of protest song from the point of view of an abused woman. Phil Spector's arrangement was ominous and ambiguous. The song might have been meant sarcastically or as a protest against violence against women. Spector's production failed to capture ay sarcasm or sense of outrage and was seen instead as glorification. Upon its initial release, "He Hit Me" received some airplay, but then there was a widespread protest of the song, with many concluding that the song was an endorsement of spousal abuse. The song soon became played only rarely on the radio. Recently covered by Courtney Love
"Catch Us If You Can"
The Dave Clark Five - British Invasion/Pop Star Title track from the band's movie Like Hard Day's Night If Beatles did it DC5 did it Clark was band's drummer Put drums in front others stood back Started in 1959, played locally until Brit Inv. 18 times on Ed Sullivan; more than any UK group 17 top 40 songs Tried to go Psychedelic in 70, not successful End up on " oldies" circuit
"Bus Stop"
The Hollies - British Invasion Like Herman's Hermits, The Hollies are from Manchester Very popular in UK, not in US until 1966 Last wave of Brit Inv. Have never officially broken up. Named in homage to Buddy Holly Written by Graham Gouldman (10CC) who was pro writer in UK at the time "For Your Love", Yardbirds others for Herman's Hermits "Things We Do For Love" From 10cc Opening lines of song, written by Gould's father, a playwright Gould finished it on the bus on the way to work in men's clothing store Hollies' First top ten in US #5 UK, #5 US Hollies member Graham Nash later is part of Crosby Stills &
"Alley Oop"
The Hollywood Argyles - Novelty Song Written by Dallas Frazier based on comic strip character Also wrote "Elvira" (sounds the same as Alley Oop) Alley Oop is a caveman in a popular comic strip in the early 60's. Lyrics simply describe the comic (Rides a dinosaur, carries a big club, etc.) Argyles created by Gary Paxton and Kim Fowley Fowley is later famous for producing novelty songs "They're Coming to Take Me Away Ha Ha" "Band" is made up of friends and studio musicians paid $25 each for the session Engineer says they were all hopelessly drunk at the time
"You Really Got Me"
The Kinks - British Invasion/Art School One most recognizable riffs in rock Again sliced speaker cone makes the distortion (a la Link Wray & Ike Turner) 3rd single after 2 US R&R covers don't sell well Influential in all rock genres Garage / Punk / Metal all claim it as a "1st example" of their sound. Known as "The track that invented Heavy Metal
"Stop! In The Name Of Love"
The Supremes - Soul/Motown H-D-H written song #1 billboard. Supremes had 5 #1 singles in a row Choreography by members of Temptations just before London show THE premier act for Motown in mid 60s Formed in Detroit high school (The Primettes) The Temptations (The Primes) were also students at same school Motown's most successful act Most successful vocal group in US music history (Rivals Beatles) Album Supremes A Go Go knocks Revolver out of #1 spot on charts Holland, Dozier, Holland were writers and producers of 10 of 12 Supremes #1 singles. Helped pave the way for future African American acts.
"Well Respected Man"
The Kinks - British Invasion/Art School Makes use of British "Music Hall" tradition Song & Dance shows similar to Vaudeville in US Yet another example of Dylan's influence on lyrics Topical song, not typical top 40, yet makes #13 in US Heavy sarcasm directed at rich upper class Formed by Ray & Dave Davies (brothers) in '64 Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk, and country Probably widest range of styles of any band early in the Brit Inv. Beatles wait until later ('67 - '68) to get as far ads Kinks in '65 Davies Brothers (like Everlys) fought bitterly and constantly Were banned from touring in US for 4 years (late '64 - '68) Drummer had 16 stitches from a thrown cymbal (Dave at Ray, missed) Kinks miss touring in US through the height of the Brit Inv. Develop their studio9 style and wide influences instead of constant tours. Songs reflect English culture and lifestyle more than other BI bands Broke up for good in 1996
"Daydream"
The Lovin' Spoonful - U.S. Pop Written by band leader John Sebastian #2 Billboard Band comes out of NY folk music scene Jug band roots (even causes a small jug band revival) Odd cross of Beatles, Blues and Folk music Wrote their own songs (mostly) NOT Brill Bldg. material 7 consecutive top 100 hits ('6 5-'67) Only other band in era to do it is Gary Lewis & The Playboys Shows a beginning of a real synthesis of what the Beatles did and how it might be "replicated" by American groups. This was top 10 American pop music that was NOT bubblegum or soul. Important for this reason, much more than for sales etc.
"You've Lost That Loving Feeling"
The Righteous Brothers - Blue Eyed Soul Written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil (Brill Bldg) and Phil Spector More radio and TV play than any other song of the 20th Century One of the best examples of the Spector Wall Of Sound Cher is one of the background singers Bill Medely on lead vocal Bobby Hatfield is the "other" Righteous Brother During recording Hatfield is annoyed having to wait for the chorus to sing Didn't like Medely having a big solo Asked Spector "What am I supposed to do while waiting?" Spector answered,"You can go straight the the ****ing bank!" At nearly 4 minutes the song was too long for AM radio Spector knew they would not play the song but would not shorten it On the record label he had the time printed as 3:05 to trick DJs
"Under My Thumb"
The Rolling Stones - British Invasion/Heavy Hitters Misogynistic lyric advocate quasi-violent attitude towards a woman Jagger says it was a joke Women's groups protest and boycott Unusual instrumentation Marimba (Brian Jones) & Fuzz bass Motown influence Altamont connection: Stones were playing this song when Meredith Hunter is killed by Hells Angels at Altamont festival in 1969.
"Satisfaction"
The Rolling Stones - British Invasion/Heavy Hitters Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards Noted for Richards's three-note guitar riff which opens and drives the song lyrics include references to sexual intercourse Also has a theme of anti-commercialism. The latter caused the song to be "perceived" as an attack on the status quo". Stones' first #1 in the US Banned in most of Europe for suggestive lyrics Keith Richards states that he came up with the guitar riff for the song in his sleep, waking up in the middle of the night, recording the riff and the words "I can't get no satisfaction" on a cassette recorder and promptly falling back to sleep. He would later describe the tape as: "two minutes of 'Satisfaction' and 40 minutes of me snoring." Jagger wrote most of the lyrics - a statement about the rampant commercialism that the Rolling Stones had seen in America. Dylan influence on lyrics; Serious topic, treated seriously Richards didn't want it as a single Thought it was too simple, like a Motown riff Changed tempo and added fuzzbox sound and VOILA! #1 song Fuzzbox was used to simulate horn section to be added later Horns never got added and fuzz sound stays in
"Leader Of The Pack"
The Shangri-Las - Girl Group Written by George "Shadow" Morton with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. (Brill Building Writing Team) Written the for a group called The Goodies (also known as the Bunnies), The recordings for Morton featured lavish production with heavy orchestration and sound effects (Wall of Sound copy cat) Took 63 tries in the studio before Morton was satisfied The song epitomized the "death disc"; other examples include Ray Peterson's "Tell Laura I Love Her", Jan and Dean's "Dead Man's Curve", J Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers's "Last Kiss," and Twinkle's "Terry". In April 1964, when the girls were still minors (15-17), their parents signed with Red Bird Records. Billy Joel, working as a session musician, played on the demo.
"Aint Too Proud To Beg"
The Temptations - Soul/Motown Written by Norman Whitfield & Edward Holland Great illustration of how Motown worked. Smokey Robinson is Motown VP, Berry Gordy's Best friend and Temptations writer and producer Whitfield is a newbie Motown writer and wants to work with Temptations He records the song w/band (late night session) Brings it to Friday QC meeting two weeks in a row Gordy says "something" is missing Whitfield re-records the song in a higher range. Harder edge sound Singer needs many "takes" to get the high notes out right Higher voice adds intensity to the song Whitfield takes it back to QC next Friday Smokey Robinson has "Get Ready" in same meeting (Both Temptations) Gordy goes with Robinson, but says if Get Ready doesn't make top 20 Whitfield's song is Temptations next single Get Ready Peaks at #29; Aint too Proud goes to #1 Robinson is replaced as Temptations producer Temptations were to Soul what the Beatles were to rock Flashy suits, polished choreography (not improvised dance moves) 1st Motown act to win a Grammy 2nd longest time with label (40 years)
"My Generation"
The Who - British Invasion/Art School Written when Townsend was 20 Mod anthem (older Gen, "doesn't get it) #2 in UK,only #74 in US on singles charts Call and response verses (R & B Soul a la Ray Charles) Stuttering vocal (Stuttering Blues, John Lee Hooker) Daltrey only got lyrics and hadn't rehearsed Couldn't hear himself in mix, got behind. Happy accident that stayed in. BBC wouldn't play it. Afraid of offending people who stutter. Townshend has also credited Mose Allison's "Young Man Blues" as the inspiration for the song, saying "Without Mose I wouldn't have written 'My Generation'. Townshend told the Rolling Stone magazine in 1985 that "'My Generation' was very much about trying to find a place in society". Townshend has said about the famous line "I hope I die before I get old". For him, when he wrote the lyrics, "old" meant "very rich".
"The Kids are Alright"
The Who - British Invasion/Art School Gang Written by Pete Townshend. On 1st album This song, along with the album's title track, would become anthems for the group and the Mod movement of England in the 1960s. Later became the name of the documentary for the band in 1979. 1st singles were not successes (R & R cover tunes popular live) This song tries for the Beatles sound (maybe) Who were poster children for mods Mods are educated and Affluent Fashion, Music, Motor scooters Fought w/ Teddys Rivalry between Mods and Teddys comes back in Punk era w/ Clash (teddy) vs The Jam (Mod) High energy shows Instrument destruction Bass guitar solos (Unheard of at the time) Introduces concept of virtuoso players Daltrey is sex symbol. Townsend the "tortured soul" Combo of Daltrey singing Townsend's words is unique Time Magazine wrote in 1979 that "No other group has ever pushed rock so far, or asked so much from it."
"She's Not There"
The Zombies - British Invasion/Pop Star Formed around Rod Argent (keyboards) Argent wrote the song Top 10 US, #2 in Canada Unusual for the time: Electronic Keyboards Minor key, jazz influence Sent to US to tour by management Played 7 shows a day on NY theater Both as headline band and backing for others (The Shangri-Las) Argent quits to form "classic rock" band Argent Still tours with both groups
"I Think We're Alone Now"
Tommy James & The Shondells - U.S. Pop Written by Ritchie Cordell, the producer of the band #4 on US charts One of the songs which helped earn the nick-name 'Bubblegum" The song was spoofed by "Weird Al" Yankovic as "I Think I'm a Clone Now". Band is from Michigan (like me!) Recorded a single (Hanky Panky by Brill Bldg. Writers) in 1963 sold so/so in MI, but not anywhere else; band breaks up Found in a pile of throwaways by a DJ in Pittsburgh He plays in calling it an "exclusive" for the station Huge response, record gets bootlegged 80,000 copies James gets call in '65 to come to town and perform. He has no band. He goes anyway and picks up a local band to be " The Shondells" They stay with him for years. Band was invited to play Woodstock. They turned it down. OOPS!! James tries to get psychedelic in the late 60's but doesn't really make much of a dent in that scene. Needed Woodstock to be credible. The group continued until early 1970. At a concert, James collapsed onstage from a reaction to drugs, and was actually pronounced "dead." He recovered though, and decided to move to the country to recuperate.